CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Since 2001, the Steelers have followed a two-on, one-off script. They make the playoffs in consecutive seasons with double-digit victory totals, then miss with a single-digit total.

If the Steelers manage to change the pattern and qualify for three straight postseasons for the first time since the 1990s, they will have overcome plenty of obstacles. At 6-4, the Steelers are contenders in the division and wild-card races, but they seemingly are doing it with duct tape and paper clips.

Mike Tomlin is a no-excuses, "Next Man Up" head coach. Publicly, he remains steadfast. Privately, though, he must be wondering ... from where his next quarterback will come. In Pittsburgh's season of injuries, quarterback tops the significance list.

Ben Roethlisberger, among the NFL's best at his position since his rookie year in 2004, started the season opener at Denver. That did not necessarily mean he was healthy. Roethlisberger had told reporters in training camp that his right rotator cuff wasn't right.

Roethlisberger has been no stranger to injuries of varying degrees, on or off the field. But they rarely keep him from playing. He remained highly productive this season until Nov. 12 against Kansas City, when a sack forced him to exit in the third quarter. He was diagnosed with a shoulder sprain and dislocated rib.

How long Roethlisberger will be sidelined is uncertain, but he will not return in time to face the Browns on Sunday. That rates as great news for the Browns, given Roethlisberger's ownership of them and his success playing NFL games in his native Ohio, be it in Cleveland or Cincinnati.

Byron Leftwich relieved Roethlisberger against the Chiefs and had a small role (7-of-14, 73 yards) in a 16-13 overtime triumph at Heinz Field. The victory came with an asterisk because the lowly Chiefs were the vanquished, but the Steelers didn't care because they had won four straight.

Last Sunday against Baltimore, Leftwich made his first start since 2009. It did not go well. He went 18-of-39 for 201 yards and one interception in a 13-10 loss at Heinz Field. The Steelers fell two back of the Ravens in the AFC North.

Whatever report Browns scouts filed on Leftwich is no longer relevant. He cracked ribs early in the Baltimore game and is out for Sunday. The Steelers likely will turn to veteran Charlie Batch, who just the other day was their third quarterback. Batch debuted in the NFL with Detroit in 1998. Batch is 5-2 as a sub starter since his debut with Pittsburgh in 2003.

So a 37-year-old who has not thrown a pass in a game that matters since Dec. 24, 2011, will lead the Steelers into Cleveland. The club also added quarterback Brian Hoyer, a St. Ignatius grad who previously played for the New England Patriots, to the roster.

The Steelers can't be entirely comfortable about having Batch lead the way, but they probably aren't anxious, either, because the Browns have brought out the best in them for a while -- no matter the personnel.

The Steelers have won four straight and 16 of 17 since November 2003. The defeat in that span occurred Dec. 10, 2009, in Cleveland; the 13-6 final marked the first time since October 1992 that the Steelers had been held to single-digits against the Browns.

Offensive overview

In his third season with the Steelers, Mike Wallace is averaging better than 12 yards a catch and has six touchdown receptions.AP file

Batch's most recent playing time came in a start against the Rams last Dec. 24. He was 15-of-22 for 208 yards and one interception in a 27-0 victory. Batch appeared in four games last season, including an 0-for-2 against the Browns on Dec. 8 in Pittsburgh.

Batch, a product of Eastern Michigan, has thrown for 10,610 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career. His passer rating, 77.8, is a good indicator of his career -- nothing spectacular but far from awful. In a word: functional. He remains in the league because of intangibles which include accuracy, quick release and a solid grasp of coordinator Todd Haley's offense.

Tomlin and Haley will ask Batch to "manage the game," staying away from errors that put his team in position to lose. When Batch drops back, the Browns can expect to be dinked and dunked. He does not have a big arm, and it is difficult to imagine him at this stage making plays outside the pocket.

Batch has quality targets at his disposal, including receivers Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders and tight end Heath Miller. Miller figures to be especially busy if the passing game is more horizontal than vertical.

Pittsburgh, thanks again to injuries, has struggled to run the ball. The offensive line and backs have been banged up. Against the Ravens, Jonathan Dwyer led with 12 carries for 55 yards. Rashard Mendenhall had 11 carries for 33 yards. Dwyer is the season's leader with 89 carries and 410 yards.

Defensive overview

Steelers defenders Larry Foote (left) and Lawrence Timmons (stopping the Browns' Peyton Hillis in 2011) have been productive performers for years in Pittsburgh.John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

Even with a healthy Roethlisberger, the Steelers rely heavily on their defense. With Batch the starter, how the defense performs almost certainly will determine the outcome.

Ageless coordinator Dick LeBeau's attacking 3-4, featuring its requisite assortment of zone blitzes, is a defense that keeps quarterbacks up at night. Even the elites will have problems; Browns rookie QB Brandon Weeden must be decisive in order to give himself a chance to solve LeBeau's rush and coverage riddles.

Pittsburgh's front seven thrives on creating confusion, which leads to double-clutching, which leads to sacks or turnovers. The Steelers thrive on physicality and closing speed to get it done.

Weeden can lean on his backup, Colt McCoy, and, perhaps, Tim Tebow for inspiration. On Oct. 17, 2010, McCoy faced the Steelers in Pittsburgh for his first NFL start. He was 23-of-33 for 281 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 28-10 loss. Tebow, as a member of the Broncos in last January's wild-card game, was 10-of-21 for 316 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-23 overtime victory in Denver.

LeBeau's genius is best measured over the years. Rosters invariably change but LeBeau's defenses remain formidable. Outside linebackers, in particular, have become stars by allowing his system to work for them.

Linebackers Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons rank first and third, respectively, on the Steelers with 71 and 59 tackles. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley leads with four sacks.

Special teams overview

Shaun Suisham is 21 of 22 on field goals and perfect on 20 extra points. His longest field goal is 52 yards. Drew Butler is averaging 43.6 yards gross and 38.1 net on 41 punts. Rookie Chris Rainey has returned the vast majority of the kickoffs (23 for 27.8-yard average) and Antonio Brown most of the punts (15 for 7.1-yard average).

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